Measure Rainfall and Help The National Weather Service

Do you measure rainfall in your backyard or neighborhood? Interested in measuring rainfall?

Then consider joining the CoCoRaHS network!

What is CoCoRaHS??

CoCoRaHS is an acronym for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. CoCoRaHS is a unique, non-profit, community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow). By using low-cost measurement tools, stressing training and education, and utilizing an interactive Web-site, the aim is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education and research applications. We are now in all fifty states.

Who can participate??

This is a community project. Everyone can help, young, old, and in-between. The only requirements are an enthusiasm for watching and reporting weather conditions and a desire to learn more about how weather can effect and impact our lives. CoCoRaHS is perfect for students in a classroom. They can check the rain gauge each day and submit their report at school.

What will volunteer observers be doing??

Each time a rain, hail or snow storm crosses your area, volunteers take measurements of precipitation from as many locations as possible. These precipitation reports are then recorded on the CoCoRaHS Web site. The data are then displayed and organized for many of our end users to analyze and apply to daily situations ranging from water resource analysis and severe storm warnings to neighbors comparing how much rain fell in their backyards.

Shown above is a graphical daily precipitation map for ASOS, CoCoRaHS and Co-OP observations from Middle Tennessee observers from July 11
created by your National Weather Service Office in Nashville.

Shown above is a daily precipitation map for all CoCoRaHS observations from February 2nd. Gray and light blue values indicate less than one quarter of an inch of rain, while dark blues, green and orange values indicate between 1 and 4 inches.

Who uses CoCoRaHS??

CoCoRaHS is used by a wide variety of organizations and individuals. The National Weather Service, other meteorologists, hydrologists, emergency managers, city utilities (water supply, water conservation, storm water), insurance adjusters, USDA, engineers, mosquito control, ranchers and farmers, outdoor & recreation interests, teachers, students, and neighbors in the community are just some examples of those who visit our Web site and use our data.

So, if you or someone you know is interested in helping your local National Weather Service office, then consider joining the CoCoRaHS network by clicking here.